Any marathoner will tell you there’s a moment when the excitement fades and you have to just keep moving. The crowds thin out, your legs are screaming, and your mental toughness takes over. I’ve felt that stretch firsthand, both in races and in subrogation.
From a distance, subrogation can look like a quick 5k: find fault, send a demand, get a recovery. But in reality, it’s a lot more like a marathon. It takes pacing, patience, problem-solving, and yes sometimes a little bit of grit.
The first miles of a marathon are pure excitement. Everyone is cheering, you’re fueled by adrenaline and just want to sprint. But you know that’s a mistake if you want to see mile twenty. It’s the same with subrogation; you set the pace early. This means securing evidence, lining up experts, and managing expectations with clients. A calm, steady start beats a rushed one every single time.
There’s a long stretch in every race that is just not very exciting: think mile 14. The crowds thin out, the miles feel longer, and you’re getting tired. In subro, this is where you’re waiting for reports, chasing discovery, or calling and emailing for the fourth time with no reply. It’s not glamorous, but discipline beats adrenaline every time.
Every Boston runner knows Heartbreak Hill. You’ve trained for months, but this “hill” tests everything. Your legs are heavy, feet are blistered, and mind is saying it’s okay to quit, you’ve done enough. In subro, it’s the denial, the waiver, or the case of the disappearing defendant. It may be tempting to close the file, but obstacles don’t mean you can quit at mile twenty. Perseverance can make the difference between a write-off and a recovery.
Marathons aren’t just about the miles you run; they’re about the people who help you along the way. Fundraising and running for causes I care about remind me that every donation, every word of encouragement, every cheer from the sidelines matters. You don’t run a marathon, or recover a case, alone. In subrogation, it’s the clients who trust you, the experts who guide the facts, the team who works beside you, and even the bits of information or insight along the way. Every one of these people makes the difference between struggling and crossing the finish line. Purpose and collaboration carry a case farther than speed ever could.
So, whether you’re running to Boylston Street or working on a challenging claim, remember that endurance wins. Once you’ve run a marathon, you tend to come back for more, which is kind of like subrogation. The lessons, the challenges, and the victories stick with you long after the finish line.
